deVine Thoughts

Author: Dirk Chan

Today (March 31/2025) is the last day prior to the Alberta Government’s Ad Valorem tax on high end wine that kicks in tomorrow on April 1/2025, and believe you me, I wish I could say it is just a cruel April Fool’s joke, but it is not! – up to 15% price increase on expensive wines.

Luckily for us, our order day is Mondays so we have over spent this week to bring in some what we consider true “high end” wines to beat the tax just under the wire. The wines listed below will arrive this wednesday but you can pre-purchase using the links in this blog. Most are in six packs so only the six bottles available on a first-come first-serve basis.

Enjoy the shopping and beating this nonsensical tax, it is our only solace in this sad state of affairs.

Pictured left to right:

2010 Champagne Ployez-Jacquemart Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs (Champagne, France) – $132.99

Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon (Colchagua Valley, Chile) – $24.99, regularly $30.99

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the Talamonti Moda Montepulciano d’Abruzzo (Abruzzi, Italy) – $16.99, regularly $21.49.

The Talamonti vineyard/estate was started in 2001 (before that it was part of a collective) comprising 32 hectares dedicated to the production of classic Abruzzo grapes – Trebbiano d’Abruzzo, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo & Pecorino, as well as some Merlot for blending.
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Talamonti specializes in crafting wines that celebrate the rich winemaking heritage of Loreto Aprutino and the Abruzzi region. Talamonti’s vineyards are 300m above sea level, and benefit from a favourable south-easterly exposure, and from the micro-climate and terrior that typifies the area along the Tavo Valley, making it one of the most popular areas in Abruzzo for making wine. Talamonti is one of the favorite producers in Abruzzo in terms of value and price. The style of winemaking is very consistent and readily offers great bang for your buck.

Our feature this week is their Moda Montepulciano d’Abruzzo – Intense ruby-red color with violet undertones is followed by a fragrant bouquet of ripe red fruits. Lively, elegantly framed by oak spices and chocolate. Chill this for 10-15 minutes and pair with hearty, savory dishes, such as beef brisket, hamburgers, beef bolognese, tagliatelle, ragu, and high-protein pizzas. The adventurous can try it with grilled meats.

Prost!

Talamonti Moda Montepulciano d’Abruzzo (Abruzzi, Italy) – $16.99, regularly $21.49.)

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Author: Dirk Chan

The 2021 Bordeaux vintage was a challenge (unlike the preceeding trio of 2018, 2019 and 2020). The wine producers battled frosts, millerandage and mildew, rain, lack of sunlight and vineyard geography proved crucial to the general outcome, with the best sites producing some of the best results. Thus the Red Bordeaux can be enjoyed younger (although the best wines can still age for 15-20 years) in an earlier drinking with decanting while the stars of the vintage are the whites and the sweet dessert wines from Sauterne and Barsac – both of which deserve some love and warrant a few for your cellar.

With all that in mind, here are the in-bottle releases of the reds. Quantities are limited so buy sooner than later, some there’s only 1 or 2 bottles available in some cases.

Pictured from left to right:

2021 Château Lilian Ladouys Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel (Bordeaux – St. Estephe, France) – $59.99
2021 Château Tour Saint Christophe Grand Cru Classé (Bordeaux – St. Emilion, France) – $79.99
2021 Château Latour a Pomerol (Bordeaux – Pomerol, France) – $199.99
2021 Château Leoville Barton (Bordeaux – St. Julien, France) – $229.99
2021 Château Calon-Segur (Bordeaux – St. Estephe, France) – $289.99

All available Left Bank Reds..
All available Right Bank Reds..

Read the earlier 2021 White Bordeaux & Sauterne blog..

Prost everyone!

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the Bodega Renacer Punto Final Malbec (Mendoza, Argentina) – $16.99 (regularly $20.99).

Bodega Renacer, located in Lujan de Cuyo has been around since 2003, producing high-end wines. It is representative of Mendoza red winemaking, where land meets the sky at the foot of the Andes, where Malbec and Cabernets find their best expression due to the outstanding characteristics of climate, altitude, soil and water. They own 30 hectares there, some more than 70 years old. Organic certification in 2021.

Our feature this week is their Punto Final Malbec, a wine with intense red color with purplish glints. The nose is powerful with notes of red and black fruits, such as strawberries, blackberries and blueberries, and floral notes with a background of white pepper. The palate is sweet, juicy and with soft tannins. Its ample entry in the mouth invites a second glass. Fresh and long finish – pair with grilled red meats.

Bodega Renacer Punto Final Malbec (Mendoza, Argentina) – $16.99 (regularly $20.99).)

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Author: Dirk Chan

Dessert wines are often misunderstood and often left off dinner menu’s. With the correct pairing, both dessert and dessert wine could easily end up being the highlight of a gourmet dinner. The secret is to make sure your dessert wine is sweeter than the dessert itself. If you’ve been neglecting stickies, I recommend you give these a go, you may be surprised.

Pictured from left to right:

2016 Royal Tokaji 5 Puttonyos Aszu (Hungary) -250mL – $36.49
2023 Peller Estates Private Reserve Vidal Icewine (Ontario – Niagara, Canada) – 200mL – $24.99
2021 Château Sigalas Rabaud Premier Cru Classé (Bordeaux – Sauternes, France) – 375mL – $69.99
2018 Domaine Huet Clos du Bourg Moelleux Première Trie (Vouvray, France) – $94.99
2021 Brigaldara Recioto della Valpolicella (Veneto, Italy) – 375mL – $39.99

Other dessert wines not pictured:

2021 Lakeview Cellars Vidal Icewine (Ontario – Niagara, Canada) – 200mL – $21.99
2016 Yves Cuilleron Roussilliere Blanc (Rhone Valley, France) – 500mL – $42.99
2018 Domaine Huet Le Mont Moelleux (Vouvray, France) – $62.99
1982 Thunevin-Calvet Maury Vin Doux Naturel (Languedoc-Roussillon, France) – $87.99
2011 Château Climens Premier Cru (Bordeaux – Barsac, France) – 375mL – $114.99
2010 Knebel Winninger Uhlen Riesling Beerenauslese (Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany) – 375mL – $159.99
2009 Domaine Huet Cuvee Constance (Loire Valley, France) – 375mL – $169.99

Prost everyone!

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the Babich Black Label Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough, New Zealand) – $20.49 (regularly $24.49).

Babich Wines is the oldest family-owned (established in 1916 after the family immigrated from Croatia in 1910) winemaking company in New Zealand and a leading NZ wine brands that aims to sustainably crafting the most drinkable New Zealand wines for export. This winery practises sustainable viticulture and is heading towards Organic Certification.

Their Black Label Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc was first produced in 2005 and is made from grapes from the Waihopai, Awatere and Wairau Valley properties. This is a high quality drink displaying archtypical New Zealand Sauv Blanc character with that added layer of complexity. Plenty of citrus notes (citrus, grapefruit, mango, lemon) on the nose while the palate offers lime, gooseberry, minerals and smoky herbals. Delicious with a spring salad, fish or poultry dishes!

Babich Black Label Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough, New Zealand) – $20.49 (regularly $24.49)

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